Warning - bank hoax e-mails

[happytown]

I know we're all to savvy to fall for this but below is a warning released today from the Aust Bankers Assoc warning of hoax e-mails targetting aust online banking.

WARNING TO INTERNET USERS ABOUT HOAX E-MAIL

Sydney, 8 May, 2007: The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) is warning the public of a hoax e-mail scam that is targeting Internet users.

The hoax e-mail notes that selected Australian banks have been hacked, that online banking services are suspended and directs consumers to a website. This information is false.

It is important that consumers do not visit the website mentioned in this hoax e-mail. Generally these websites attempt to lure customers into divulging PINs or Internet banking passwords which should remain confidential or a download of malicious software is triggered which can log the consumer’s key strokes.

David Bell, Chief Executive of the ABA, said: “Hoax e-mails should be ignored and deleted. Be very suspicious of e-mails sent by people unknown to you, containing spelling mistakes and directing you to a link.”

“It is important to remember that no bank or bona fide organisation will ask you to reveal your online banking passwords or logon identification and that this important information should not be shared with anyone.”

The Australian High Tech Crime Centre (AHTCC) has already been notified about this hoax e-mail. Appropriate steps have been taken to investigate its source and to take further action as necessary.

To protect your home computer, install and frequently update proven anti-virus and firewall software products and always ensure you are operating in a secure environment. Many banks have detailed information on their websites on how bank customers can protect themselves from Internet fraud attempts perpetrated by criminals. There are also some useful fact sheets on the ‘Protect Your Financial Identity’ website (www.protectfinancialid.org.au) an initiative of the ABA, AHTCC and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

Advice to customers who have received the hoax e-mail

Delete the e-mail from your Inbox and from your Deleted Items
Do not click on the link embedded in the e-mail
If you have clicked on the link to the website in this hoax e-mail, contact your bank immediately for advice
Install and keep up-to-date anti-virus and firewall software on your computer
Example of hoax e-mail:

Dear online-banking user!

Please note that from May the 6th the online-banking service in Australia will be suspended due to a vigorous hacker attack on the websites of the most popular Australian banks (National, Common (sic), Bendigo, BOQ etc.).

Please be extremely carefull (sic) with your credit cards and accounts.

To get more information on the situation of the online-banking service of your bank please follow the link below:

[LINK DELETED]

Best regards,
AntiFraud.com


For further information:

Heather Wellard
Director, Public Relations
Phone: 02 8298 0411
Mobile: 0409 830 439

ENDS

cheers

 

[The Mint Man]

I wouldnt fall for one of these as I get at least one new one every week or two but you have got to be worried for those that are new to internet banking, such as older people.
They are getting very sly with how these hoax emails are set up. I mean look at that one, it has a name, phone numbers etc. to make it look genuine.

 

[Smurf1976]

I've had two of these relating to banks that I've never had accounts with.

When I contacted the legitimate bank in question, one was totally unconcerned whilst the other thanked me for informing them and said they'd look into it.

Needless to say I'll never consider using the bank that wasn't even remotely interested in security issues for their customers. It was one of the big 4 banks. Surely they could have at least acknowledged that it was a hoax email even if they couldn't do anything about it.

 

[Out Too Soon]

I've had two of these relating to banks that I've never had accounts with.

When I contacted the legitimate bank in question, one was totally unconcerned whilst the other thanked me for informing them and said they'd look into it.

Needless to say I'll never consider using the bank that wasn't even remotely interested in security issues for their customers. It was one of the big 4 banks. Surely they could have at least acknowledged that it was a hoax email even if they couldn't do anything about it.

Ditto! I used to get heaps of those emails, mostly from banks (not) that I'd never had acc with. I don't read most of the junk notices that my bank sends me but can't avoid the one at the top of every email warning they will *never* ask for details in an email, ignore all that do.

 

[Mouse]

Hiya,

It's not just banks. About 18 months ago I got a stop smoking hypnosis dvd by Paul McKenna which I couldn't use because on the packaging they said it shouldn't be used by epileptics or people with depression etc. Heh, they didn't say that anywhere on the website so I sent them an email to complain. It was all sorted and forgotten.

Fast forward to a few months ago and I got this email ...

From: Customer Services [mailto:c_care_7@hotmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, 21 February 2007 11:43 PM
To: susanallton@communicateangles.com
Subject: I can make you thin system to Spain.

Dear Customer,

Thank you for your email.

The total cost to order the I Can Make You Thin System including shipping
will be £57.08.

****As detailed on the website, International orders cannot be placed
online, due to extra postage and packaging charges.**** All details for this
product are listed on the website.

If you wish to place an order using a credit/debit card please telephone
0044 1455 852233. (We accept Visa, Mastercard, Switch/Maestro, Visa Debit)

We do accept payment by cheque/ Money Order, made payable to 'A D Response'
in UK Stirling


Postal Address-
Paul McKenna Productions
P O Box 15
Earl Shilton
Leicester
United Kingdom
LE9 8WA

For Seminar enquiries please dial 0845 230 2022.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Kindest Regards
MCKENNA DIRECT
CUSTOMER SERVICES

-----

It was weird because I hadn't asked them about any "I can make you thin system", so I checked the official Paul McKenna website and all the phone numbers & details were different. Definately a scam, but when I emailed the Official Paul McKenna people I didn't get any reply.

cheers
Mouse

 

[Prospector]

Last year our business website was hacked into, and an email address using our business name was sent to people with Amazon accounts asking them to verify the credit card account they had registered with Amazon online

It was over the weekend and the first we knew about it was we received a lot of nasty emails from people saying we were crooks etc etc. Then we received one from Amazon advising us that they knew we were legitimate, but that our website had been hacked into and we should take our website off line and close any email accounts and start afresh!

Our website was a .com.au address too! Cost us a lot of money to get everything back up again. And we changed our IT provider who assured us his server was the most up to date with security measures!

Mouse, with regard to the lack of reply, when it happened to us we were getting emails from everywhere to the extent we didnt know which ones were for real, and which ones were part of the scam, so we didnt reply to any of them. However, whenever I get an email from someone who has obviosuly had the same problem as us, I do send them an email just to let them know what has happened - I got a scam email a few months ago from a Univeristy in the US which actually existed, so I contacted their IT Dept who thanked me for alerting them and they closed their site down too!

 

[noirua]

If you have the time, you could become a "Hoax Bank Baiter" by filling in false details. If you run cleaner software then the site will not recognise you on your return.